Dentures and Implant Supported Dentures

If you have lost teeth, you can attest to the difficulty of life without them. Losing teeth in adulthood is a traumatic experience that can make a person feel embarrassed and incomplete. Replacing lost teeth is incredibly important for your overall wellbeing and oral health. Dr. Weakley offers a variety of tooth replacement solutions including custom made full and partial dentures along with implant supported dentures.

Tooth Loss and Your Health

Losing teeth takes a toll on our oral health and our emotional wellness. We use our teeth every day. They assist with oral function and proper enunciation. Without them, people have difficulty speaking properly and eating.

While the obvious problem with tooth loss is the negative effects it has on one’s appearance, other issues tooth loss presents affect one’s overall health. Patients with multiple missing teeth can suffer with malnutrition due to an inability to eat certain foods. Tooth loss also has psychological effects such as depression and social anxiety.

Without teeth, we will lose vital tissue like bone mass in the jaw because our bodies will resorb inactive and unstimulated bone. Losing bone will affect the health of the TMJs and any existing biological teeth. It also changes facial structure by making lips and cheeks appear sunken in.

Conventional Dentures

While various forms of dentures have been used for centuries, today’s dentures are incredibly lifelike. This is due to advancements in dental technology and the materials used to create them. Modern dentures are made from pink-tinted acrylics to blend seamlessly into the gums and porcelain to mimic the appearance and functionality of biological teeth.

There are two types of dentures. One type, full dentures, is used to replace all the teeth in an arch. The second type, partials, is used to replace missing teeth within an arch to fill in gaps neighboring existing biological teeth.

Creating dentures is a highly customized process that begins with a consultation with Dr. Weakley. Molds (impressions) of the mouth are taken to determine the exact dimensions of dentures. Trained technicians will then use these specifications to create dentures that accommodate the unique oral anatomy of a patient.

Implant Supported Dentures

Even though modern dentures far surpass prosthetics of the past, they still have limitations. Conventional dentures only replace tooth structure above the surface of the gums, not the roots of teeth. This issue can be remedied by embedding dental implants into the jawbone. Implant supported dentures increase oral function and the longevity of dentures by preventing bone atrophy. By anchoring dentures to implants, patients can enjoy greater oral function because their replacement teeth are stabilized beneath the gums.

Our practice understands that tooth loss is a traumatic experience and we approach treatment with compassion. If you have suffered from tooth loss, we welcome you to schedule a consultation with our caring and experienced dentist, Dr. Weakley.

Common Questions

A partial denture is used to replace missing teeth throughout the upper or lower arch. It is custom made so that it only replaces teeth that are missing instead of replacing a total arch as full dentures do. Unlike a bridge, a partial denture can replace teeth that are not adjacent to one another. This is done by attaching lifelike prosthetic teeth to a wire base that conforms to the arch of an individual’s jaw. The prosthetics will then fit between missing teeth wherever necessary. Partial dentures are held in place by clasping to the backs of teeth whereas a full denture relies on the curve of the jawbone to stay in place.

Permanent dentures are prosthetics that attach to dental implants. Rather than being removed for cleaning and overnight soaking, permanent dentures stay in place. They are brushed and cared for as one would take care of natural teeth.

Permanent dentures are advantageous because they will not move during oral function and they are easier to maintain because they are fixed in place by dental implants. Patients with permanent dentures enjoy well-rounded diets because their prosthetic teeth will not move when chewing and biting food.

An additional benefit to wearing permanent dentures is the fact that dental implants will help people retain bone structure. Implants keep bone stimulated; therefore, reducing the risk of bone atrophy. Losing bone, a common issue among edentulous patients, can make the cheeks and mouth appear “sunken in” - a problem that can make a person look older than one should.

Many dental insurance providers offer some coverage for prosthetic teeth, including dentures. The amount of coverage provided by insurance can vary so it is best to discuss your coverage with your insurance carrier. If we have worked with your insurance provider before, our staff might be able to help you understand the specific benefits your policy provides.

The cost of dentures varies from person to person depending on the type of insurance coverage one has as well as whether preliminary treatment like tooth extractions are necessary prior to being fitted for dentures.

Making dentures is a very individualized service. Our dentist will take molds of your mouth so that your dentures will fit perfectly over your gums and inside your mouth. These molds will be used to determine the specifications that dental laboratory technicians will use to create your new teeth. The customized nature of fabricating dentures is reflected in their price. If you have questions about costs, our staff can assist you after your consultation with our dentist. As a courtesy to our patients, we will file insurance claims on your behalf.